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"Between January 11 and January 17, 2016, influenza and other acute respiratory diseases have exceeded the epidemic threshold by 30% for the entire population," the service said in a statement.

According to the health committee, some 11,000-12,000 people get infected with flu every day in St. Petersburg and at least 7,000 of them are children.

"We are in the epidemic status now," Zasukhina said. "If the things follow the classic scenario of the flu epidemic, this week and the next one will be the hardest. Then the recession may be expected."

However, the situation may follow a different scenario because of swine flu (virus A/H1N1).

All hospitals in the city have prolonged working hours, Zasukhina said. Students of medical universities will be helping doctors.

"We are expecting some 200 students to assist doctors today," she said.